Pan was a joyful Satyr who loved dancing and playing on the shepherds pipe, an instrument he invented, as told in the love story of Pan and Syrinx.

One day Pan saw the nymph Syrinx returning to her home. Immediately he started after her and she ran until she came to a river. Syrinx turned into a reed that lined the bank of the river so Pan could not recognize her.

Pan grabbed a hand full of reeds in hopes that he could capture Syrinx, but he was unable to locate her. Pan sat down beside the river and started tying the reeds together that he had gathered and soon he came up with a contraption that is known today as the "Pipes of Pan."

Pan was present at the great battle between the Olympian gods and the Titans and claimed that it has his yelling that caused the Titans to flee.

Once Pan with his pipes competed with Apollo, the god of music and his lyre, in a musical contest. The judge, King Tmolus, awarded the prize to Apollo, but Midas let it be known that he though Pan was the better musician. Apollo punished Midas making his ears grow like those of a donkey.

Silenus, who was the oldest of the Satyrs is said to have tutored Dionysus.